By Nimfa Estrellado Atimonan residents participate in a fluvial protest, advocating against coal projects in Quezon province. (Power for Pe...
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| Atimonan residents participate in a fluvial protest, advocating against coal projects in Quezon province. (Power for People Coalition) |
ATIMONAN, Quezon – Residents of Atimonan, Quezon recently marked a decade of unwavering resistance against the proposed 1,200 MW Atimonan One Energy (A1E) coal-fired power plant. This project, a subsidiary of Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), is spearheaded by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the Philippines' largest distribution utility.
The commemorative action, held on World Environment Day, saw a powerful display of community unity through a prayer march and a vibrant fluvial parade along the coast. This underscored the enduring opposition to fossil fuel projects in what has become known as the "coal capital" of the Philippines, already home to existing coal plants in Pagbilao and Mauban, with the potential for more.
The event, themed "Atin Muna" (Ours First), was spearheaded by local churches, clean energy advocacy groups, and communities across Quezon province. Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Ma. Villareal, a founding member of Quezon for Environment (QUEEN), reflected on the long struggle, "Ten years ago, our plea to stop the coal project started through collective prayer. We commemorate that day today through once again joining in prayer and action," he stated, highlighting the spiritual and communal roots of their movement..
This year's protest also notably marked the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si', Pope Francis' encyclical urging decisive action against fossil fuels and environmental degradation The encyclical, Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home, published in 2015, has profoundly influenced environmental movements, particularly within the Catholic-majority Philippines. It emphasizes an "integral ecology" that connects social justice with environmental concerns, strongly resonating with communities disproportionately affected by climate change and industrial pollution.
Villareal emphasized the faith community's steadfast commitment, asserting, "We in the faith community have always been vocal in our cry to protect our people and the environment, because faith is void when humanity and love for the creation is absent. That is why we will not stop pushing back against this destructive coal project until it is fully shelved."
The decade of resistance comes amidst recent developments surrounding the A1E project, which has seen Meralco PowerGen (MGen) seeking an exemption from the 2020 coal moratorium. Meralco's April 23 stock exchange disclosure, reported by BusinessWorld, indicated the project had initially received an "acknowledgement of non-coverage (ANC)" from the Department of Energy (DOE).
This could have potentially exempted it from the existing coal moratorium, which generally applies to "greenfield" coal plants and excludes those with firm expansion plans or "committed" projects. However, the DOE promptly recalled the exemption on the same day for further review, a move welcomed by QUEEN and dozens of other local and national organizations who had long contested the project's viability and environmental impact.
In a letter to the DOE in May, the network lauded the revocation of A1E's exemption and called for the project's complete shelving, not merely a review. They highlighted that the withdrawal of the ANC provides no guarantee against the project's eventual materialization, stressing the severe and long-standing impacts of coal and gas on communities in Quezon and across the country, which have significantly contributed to the escalating climate crisis.
Studies have shown that communities near coal plants suffer from deteriorating health, including respiratory and heart diseases, and environmental degradation, such as air and water pollution from coal ash and illegal reclamation activities.
The letter also served as a crucial reminder to the DOE: "We remind the DOE that any changes in fuel type for A1E’s 1,200 MW Power Plant will require a new environmental impact assessment process," effectively challenging any attempt to pivot to other fossil fuels without proper due diligence. Furthermore, the organizations reiterated the DOE's mandate, as enshrined in the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, to champion clean and affordable renewable energy for the benefit of the Filipino people, noting Quezon's vast untapped potential for renewable energy despite its current designation as the "coal capital."
Gerry Arances, Convenor of the national consumer group Power for People Coalition (P4P), voiced strong opposition, connecting the A1E project to broader issues facing consumers. "Quezon’s impacted communities and their supporters have spoken: we want a sustainable energy future, not coal or gas. Already, Meralco is facing much controversy for its skyrocketing electricity rates, unreliable services, and anticonsumer contracts," Arances stated, referring to recent rate hikes and scrutinized power supply agreements (PSAs) with Meralco-affiliated generation companies.
He concluded with a sharp warning, "Meralco need not add another destructive project to the list of its sins. There is no place for A1E in Quezon." P4P has consistently criticized the DOE and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for approving PSAs that allegedly lead to higher electricity rates and foster monopolistic practices within the energy sector, urging deeper scrutiny into the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).
The Philippines implemented a coal moratorium in 2020 to curb new coal-fired power plant projects and facilitate a transition to cleaner energy, a policy driven by the country's vulnerability to climate change. However, the DOE has clarified that this does not constitute a "total ban," stating that the policy "does not cover existing and operational coal-fired power generation facilities as well as any coal-fired power projects considered committed." This loophole, critics argue, allows for continued reliance on coal under the guise of "expansion" or "committed" status.
Should the A1E coal plant proceed, Quezon province stands to house a total of four coal plants, potentially locking the region into 20 to 40 years of coal dependence, despite global calls for a rapid shift away from fossil fuels. Meanwhile, Meralco is reportedly focusing on developing an 82-MW coal power plant in Cebu, following its certification of exemption from the coal ban by the DOE.
MGen has also explored "repurposing" coal plants to burn other fuels like ammonia, a solution climate advocates deem a "false solution" that still poses environmental risks. The decade-long struggle in Atimonan serves as a testament to the community's unwavering resolve for a clean and sustainable energy future, echoing a growing national demand for a genuine transition to renewable energy.
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